Airport operator Dubai Airports has confirmed that the construction work for Concourse D at Dubai International Airport is progressing towards a completion date of mid-2015.
Designed around a central atrium, the emphasis in Concourse D is to create a more efficient and intuitive customer experience with short walks to connect passengers with their aircraft. The AED 1.9bn (US$517m) facility will have 21 contact stands, of which four will be able to accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. It will also feature open gates, allowing travelers to board directly from the waiting area, giving them more time to enjoy the full complement of food and beverage outlets.
The Concourse D project is part of a wider AED 4.3bn (US$1.2bn) investment by Dubai Airports to expand and improve services at the airport. This includes the AED 1.8bn (US$490m) refurbishment of Terminal 1 (T1) with improvements being made to the drop-off and pick-up points in front of the terminal; the refurbishment of landside arrivals; and the modernization of the existing check-in and departure hall. A new train station is also being built to transport passengers to Concourse D.
Dubai Airports has also invested AED 600m (US$163m) in upgrading Terminal 2 (T2) with several new dining and retail outlets already added. The operator also plans to add 48 check-in counters, a newly expanded transfer area and 40 additional immigration counters.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “With traffic growth continuing at a rapid pace, we are investing heavily to ensure that the 110 plus international passenger airlines that fly to and from Dubai, and their customers who use our airport facilities, experience a significantly enhanced product, reflective of the high service standards Dubai has set.”